Highland Mall’s Transformation Continues

Highland Mall, which has recently been transformed into Austin Community College's Highland Campus, will take its final retail bow April 30th, 44 years after it first opened, Community Impact reports.

Although no anchor tenant has occupied the mall since 2011, there were still a few retailers left in the mall. Those retailers will have to close at the end of this month so ACC can start development on the next phase of Highland Mall's transformation, which will cost $152.8 and revamp the mall's central area. In June, ACC's board will review architect's design proposals and narrow the choices down to three to five finalists.

The project takes advantage of the number of modes of transportation convenient to Highland Mall, such as bus, train, and highways, with the goal of educating Austin's future workforce.

Many of the displaced retailers will move to the the nearby Lincoln Village Shopping Center, which has been renamed "The Linc" and is undergoing its own revitalization.

At Highland, Rackspace is in negotiations to relocate to the former Dillard's and the area around the former mall is being redeveloped into mixed use. The developer for that land, which comprises 35 acres, plans to include residential units, hotel space, office space, and retail. The first project, a residential mid-rise with ground-floor retail, should be complete by mid-2017.

Want in on the Highland area's transformation? Looking to be near "The Linc" where Easy Tiger will have a beer garden and stage and Vivo will offer their delicious Tex-Mex? Or maybe you work or attend school at ACC Highland. No matter what your reason for living in the area, Austin Apartment Specialists can help you find an #apartment that's perfect for you. Give us a call today at 512-241-1111.